Nigerian pilgrims have begun returning home following the successful conclusion of the 2025 Hajj, with Saudi Arabian authorities declaring the pilgrimage peaceful and incident-free for the Islamic year 1446.
According to the Saudi government, over 1.67 million Muslims participated in this year’s spiritual rites, among them thousands of Nigerian faithful. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) announced that return flights for Nigerian pilgrims commenced on Monday, June 9.
Many pilgrims expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to take part in the sacred journey, describing the experience as both spiritually uplifting and life-changing.
However, the joy was mixed with sorrow as seven Nigerian pilgrims were confirmed to have died during the pilgrimage. They were buried in Saudi Arabia in accordance with Islamic customs. The deceased were reportedly from Oyo, Abia, Edo, Plateau, and Kano States, with medical personnel attributing the deaths to cardiac-related complications, including heart failure. The 2025 figure is significantly lower than the 2024 Hajj, during which at least 30 Nigerians passed away.
During a closing ceremony in Makkah, Deputy Emir of the region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal, announced the formal end of this year’s Hajj and commended the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their commitment to ensuring a smooth pilgrimage.
He stated that 1,506,576 pilgrims arrived from outside Saudi Arabia, while 166,654 were domestic participants. The total number included 877,841 men and 795,389 women.
Prince Mishaal praised the orderly conduct of the pilgrims and the effective execution of security, health, and logistical operations throughout the season. He noted that preparations for the 2026 Hajj would begin immediately, reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s dedication to serving Islam’s holiest sites and hosting millions of worshippers from across the world.
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